Global buyout giant The Carlyle Group has raised one of the biggest private equity funds since the global financial crisis by holding a $13bn final close for its Carlyle Partners VI vehicle.

More than 260 LPs from 43 countries piled into the fund, which began fundraising in 2011 with a $10bn target.

The treacherous fundraising market following the worldwide downturn has hit many first-time and underperforming fund managers hard, with scores of new vehicles coming in under target in protracted fundraises.

But the more successful giants such as Carlyle seem to have risen above the problems, with this latest fund strong evidence LPs have narrowed their interest focus more on firms with big pockets and strong track records.

Carlyle’s previous US buyout fund, the $13.7b Carlyle Partners V, closed at the end of 2008.

Allan Holt, managing director and co-head of the US Buyout Group, said, “We are grateful for the support of our fund investors, many of whom are repeat investors. Institutional and individual investors across the globe understand the value of having a proven buyout fund in their portfolio. We will take good care of their money as we work to invest wisely and create value.”